Putting the ‘real’ in reality

Local women bask in the spotlight as TLC’s Stanley Sisters

June 28, 2012

The trash-talking, hair-pulling, girl-fighting, pole-dancing wild ride that is Mellie Stanley of Martinsburg will continue on the TLC television network, with a spinoff of "My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding" entitled "Stanley Sisters."

Mellie and her sister Nettie appeared on the wedding program in episodes that centered on Mellie's unruly behavior. She is shown fighting on the steps of the Berkeley County courthouse, standing in the open sunroof of a car speeding down the interstate and hurling epithets at her mother. Producers at TLC decided to create a show around Mellie, that will air on July 1.

The Stanleys were the subject of the highest-rated episode of the wedding show, that attracted nearly 2 million viewers on June 3. In the special, the focus shifts from planning wedding parties to broader family dynamics.

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Mellie continues her wild ways and risks the family's reputation by dancing at the Bunker Hill strip club, Vixens, where she has performed under the name, "Gypsy." Nettie shows up to intervene and embarrass her sister, leading to - what else? - a confrontation. Meanwhile, Nettie's 14-year-old daughter has run off with her 17-year-old boyfriend. The boyfriend's grandmother and aunt get involved, leading to a battle between the feuding families.

TLC Vice President Dustin Smith said "Stanley Sisters" is currently slated as a one-time special; however, it could be expanded into a series. Immediately following "Stanley Sisters," a "Gypsy Wedding" reunion show is scheduled, and a second season of "Gypsy Wedding" is in the works.

The show, which originated in England, follows the mostly secret lives of Romani gypsies, a subgroup of the first gypsies to flee Europe due to persecution. According to TLC, there are an estimated one million gypsies in the U.S.

The 23-year-old Mellie said she'd be glad to see "Stanley Sisters" expanded, and wouldn't reject a Hollywood career. A resume page she built on the talent website, www.exploretalent.com, has been up "forever," she said.

"I used to be in dancing school," she said. "I love acting. I always wanted to be an actress."

But the rough demeanor she projects on camera now isn't make-believe, she said. She said it stems from a few years in foster care as a teenager, as well as the first of her two marriages, which was abusive. And fighting at church landed her in jail once, at the age of 16.

"I have anger. I get crazy. That's in my head," she said.

Mellie said that although her family hates her job, she loves it. These days, she is dancing under her own name, since patrons at the club recognize her from television. Mellie said that since she's been on TV, her tips have increased.

"I love my job," she said. "My family doesn't want me to do it, but I like it. I don't like getting naked, but I love dancing."

When the show airs, Mellie will be in Atlantic City, already the site of some footage of Mellie's wild behavior in "Gypsy Wedding."

"I'll be partying," she said.

And if "Stanley Sisters" develops into a viable program, Mellie will be ready for the ride.

"I never look ahead," she said. "That's the thing about gypsies. They live day by day."

"Stanley Sisters" airs Sunday at 9 p.m. on TLC network, followed at 10 p.m. by the "Gypsy Wedding" reunion show.